No Borders is a transnational network of groups struggling against capitalism and the state, and for freedom of movement for all.

Sunday, 21 March 2010

Footnote To "In Every Back Garden A Heartache"

There is actually a serious reason to posting 'In Every Back Garden A Heartache', something that the Mail and the Express chose to ignore because of their rabid opposition to most things European and to all things EU.

It is almost certain that these squatters are all from the so-called A8 EU states - Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic - and because of that, and the way the A8 accession state agreements are structures, it is almost impossible for them to claim any welfare benefits, including Jobseekers' Allowance and housing benefit.

So, as most are likely to have been in seasonal employment picking vegetables, they suddenly have no money to pay rent and have no option but to live on the streets, or in someone's back garden, unless they have the money to travel back home. And if they are sleeping rough, they have little or no chance of finding other work.

Hence the Peterborough garden squatters, and the increasing numbers to be found across East Anglia. Obvious really but when one thinks about it but where's the newsprint in that?

The other problem is that seasonal work is by its very nature temporary and often the companies involved do not keep adequate paperwork. So when it comes to A8 or any other temporary workers claiming benefits when they do become eligible, assuming they know about them (around £10bn in available benefits goes unclaimed each year), they often lack the correct paperwork (payslips, etc.) to claim them. Making them even more likely to end up on the streets.

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About Us

No Borders is a transnational network of groups struggling against capitalism and the state. No Borders Brighton is actively involved in organising against the expansion of the immigration prison system and for the recognition of migrant rights. The Brighton group is also associated with the Migrant English Project (MEP) which creates a space in Sussex where migrants can feel safe, get support and advice and learn the English language. The origins of MEP were political and it has always worked on asylum cases and anti-deportation campaigns but because the shortage of English classes for refugees and asylum seekers in Brighton and Hove, the project has become focused on delivering classes and providing general support. No Borders Brighton formed to continue the political action that MEP had been involved in. The Migrant English Project runs every Monday from 12 noon to 4 pm at the Cowley Club, 12 London Road, Brighton.